Christmas tree thief left trail of clues

Police arrested a Christmas tree thief - after following a trail of pine needles to his front door.

Nursery boss John Dacre, 65, of Spenborough, West Yorkshire, called in police after the overnight raid.

"I got up to find the Christmas trees had gone, along with wrought iron tree stands, holly wreaths, some little conifer trees decorated with snow, and bird tables," he told media.

"I called the police, they were here within minutes and we found this trail of pine needles.

"We walked together following this trail through the pouring rain and I joked that all we needed was a big magnifying glass and then we'd be real super sleuths."

A police spokesman said: "The foliage led officers to a house where the stolen trees were found and recovered.

"As an extra present, officers also found a cannabis farm at the address."

A 17-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of burglary and cultivating cannabis.

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